U.S. patent application number 17/160991 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-28 for exercise device and methods of using the exercise device.
The applicant listed for this patent is CINDERFIT LLC. Invention is credited to Felipe Azenha, Takeo Ishii.
Application Number | 20220233906 17/160991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220233906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Azenha; Felipe ; et
al. |
July 28, 2022 |
EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING THE EXERCISE DEVICE
Abstract
An exercise device is provided having a top face and an open
framework body, in which the interior of the body is open, and the
faces of the open framework body are defined, at least in part, by
hand grips formed at the intersections between the faces of the
body. The faces are open between hand grips
Inventors: |
Azenha; Felipe; (Miami,
FL) ; Ishii; Takeo; (Miami, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CINDERFIT LLC |
Miami |
FL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/160991 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06; A63B 21/072 20060101 A63B021/072; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 23/04 20060101 A63B023/04 |
Claims
1. An exercise device, comprising: a top face; and an open
framework body connected to said top face, said open framework body
formed as a plurality of hand grips defining a plurality of faces,
such that: one hand grip of said plurality of hand grips being
formed at each intersection between two contiguous faces of said
plurality of faces; said plurality of faces include at least two
faces, each of said at least two faces extending from a different
side of said top face, and each of said at least two faces being
substantially perpendicular to said top face; said plurality of
faces further includes a bottom face substantially parallel to said
top face; each respective face of said at least two faces is
defined by a different edge of said top face, and by hand grips of
said plurality of hand grips formed at each intersection between
the respective face and each contiguous neighboring face of said
plurality of faces; and each face of said plurality of faces being
open between hand grips.
2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said exercise
device is formed as a right rectangular prism and said at least two
faces are four faces.
3. The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein said four
faces include two end faces and two side faces, each side face
having a greater length than each end face, and wherein each side
face includes a further hand grip not formed at an intersection
with a contiguous face.
4. The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein said further
hand grip is a central hand grip centered in said side face, and
said side face is open between said central hand grip and each hand
grip formed at the intersection with another face of said four
faces.
5. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said top face
is s closed top face without hand grips.
6. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the open
framework body and top face are formed from cast iron.
7. The exercise device according to claim 6, wherein the open
framework body and top face are overmolded with rubber.
8. A system of exercise devices, comprising: a plurality of
exercise devices according to claim 1; each exercise device of said
plurality of exercise devices being a different weight from the
other exercise devices of said plurality.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein each exercise device of said
includes a top face and open framework body formed from cast
iron.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said cast iron is overmolded
with rubber.
11. A method of using an exercise device, comprising the steps of:
providing an exercise device according to claim 1; using the
exercise device to perform an exercise.
12. An exercise device, comprising: a rectangular, enclosed top
face; an open framework body connected to said top face, said open
framework body formed as a plurality of hand grips defining a
plurality of faces, such that: said plurality of faces include two
side faces extending from opposite sides of said top face, each of
said two side faces being substantially perpendicular to said top
face; said plurality of faces additionally includes two end faces
extending from opposite sides of said top face, each of said two
end faces being substantially perpendicular to said top face; each
end face being disposed between said two side faces; said plurality
of faces further includes a bottom face substantially parallel to
said top face; wherein each end face is defined by an edge of said
top face, first and second hand grips formed at a facial
intersection of said end face and each of said two side faces; and
a third hand grip formed at a facial intersection of said end face
and said bottom face; and said two end faces being completely open
between hand grips.
13. The exercise device according to claim 12, wherein: each of
said two side faces are defined by an edge of said top face, fourth
and fifth hand grips formed at a facial intersection of said side
face and each of said two end faces; and a sixth hand grip formed
at a facial intersection of said side face and said bottom face;
each of said two side faces includes a further hand grip not formed
at an intersection with a contiguous face to said side face; and
said two side faces are completely open between hand grips.
14. The exercise device according to claim 13, wherein said open
framework body has an open interior.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates generally to an exercise device and a
method of using the exercise device. More particularly, a weighted,
rectangular exercise device is provided that is useful to assist in
performing a number of exercises.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Weighted exercise devices are known. One such weighted
exercise device is a kettlebell. In one particular form, a
kettlebell is a cast iron or cast steel ball (i.e., the "bell")
with a handle attached to the top, which is used for performing
various exercises. However, the number and types of exercises that
can be performed using a kettlebell are limited by its form.
[0003] Common objects have also been repurposed for weight
training. For example, exercises have been devised using cinder
blocks, sandbags, PVC pipe and utility buckets, among others.
Cinder blocks, in particular, have been repurposed to perform such
exercises as cinder block presses, where the user holds a cinder
block with each hand and presses them directly overhead,
repeatedly. Exercises using cinder blocks additionally include
cinder block squats, lunges, deadlifts, bench dips, step-ups, among
others. The shape and form of cinder blocks permits them to be used
in place of other objects in weight training, as well. For example,
cinder blocks can be used for performing kettlebell swings and
snatches, in place of kettlebells, farmers carries, in place of
utility buckets, and plyo jumps and step-ups, in place of plyo
blocks. Cinder blocks, however, are formed with front and rear
openings, only, thus providing a limited place to grip them. See,
for example, FIG. 1. Additionally, they are made from concrete and
are, thus, rough to touch and handle, and can be broken.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,179 to Pengler discloses an exercising
device comprising a geometrically regular body including a
plurality of polygonally-shaped flat sides and a plurality of
spaced handle means, as shown in FIG. 2, herein. The handle means
are defined by at least two elongated spaced openings in the
surface of the body which flank the intersection between two of the
flat sides. These openings cooperate with at least the remaining
portion of the surface intervening therebetween to define elongated
graspable hand-holds at the facial intersections. Pengler discloses
that the device, in accordance with that invention, may comprise a
cube, or other attractive geometric shape, such as a pyramid. The
large, relatively closed facial portions of Pengler, present on all
sides of the device, result in the device being complicated to
make, resulting in a higher than necessary expense.
[0005] What is needed is an exercise device that has a similar form
to a cinder block, thus permitting its versatility in use, yet is
easy to handle, and easy to grip, thus increasing the versatility,
and resists breaking. What is further needed is an exercise device
that provides a fairly open framework, having open facial portions
between hand grips, so as to be less complicated to make and/or
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an
exercise device and methods for using the exercise device that
addresses the needs set forth above. In one particular embodiment
of the invention, an exercise device is provided that has a
rectangular body with top, bottom, side, and end faces. In one
preferred embodiment, the interior of the body is open, and the
faces are defined by bars or hand grips formed at the edges between
faces. In one particular embodiment, at least one side face of the
exercise device is bisected by an additional hand grip.
[0007] Particular methods for using an exercise device in
accordance with the present application are additionally
provided.
[0008] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the drawings, description and
appended claims.
[0009] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in an exercise device and methods for using the
exercise device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to
the details shown, since various modifications and structural
changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of
the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the
claims.
[0010] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference numerals represent like items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cinder block in accordance
with the prior art;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an exercising
device in accordance with the prior art;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the top, of an
exercise device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken from the bottom of the
exercise device of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the exercise device of FIG.
3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the exercise device of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the exercise device of FIG.
3;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an end plan view of the exercise device of FIG.
3;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a system of exercise devices in
accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIGS. 10A-10E are illustrations useful in understanding a
method of using an exercise device in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention for performing an exercise; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view taken from the bottom of an
exercise device in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, an exercise device 100 according
to one particular embodiment of the present invention will now be
described. The exercise device 100 has a rectangular body (i.e., in
one particular embodiment, the exercise device 100 is shaped as a
right rectangular prism), formed by an enclosed top face 110 and an
open framework 100a extending off from the enclosed top face 110.
As a consequence of this open framework, the exercise device 100
has a hollow center, and large open facial portions between its
hand grips, making it easy to grip and hold the exercise device
100, as well as forming a sturdy support structure for the exercise
device 100. Additionally, such a configuration permits the body of
the exercise device 100 to be manufactured as a single piece, for
example, through molding and/or casting.
[0023] The open framework 100a is formed by first and second side
faces 130, extending from the top face 110 in the length direction
L, and substantially perpendicular to the top face 110; first and
second end faces 140 extending from the top face 110 in the width
direction W, and substantially perpendicular to the top face 110;
and a bottom face 120 that is substantially parallel to the top
face 110. Each of the faces 120, 130, 140 of the framework 100a is
defined by bars or "hand grips" at the intersections between
contiguous sides of the framework 100a. For purposes of the present
application, the term "hand grips" is intended to encompass a bar
or grip of the exercise device 100, that can be wrapped around by
the hand of a user. In the present preferred embodiment, the faces
120, 130, 140 of the open framework 100a are open between hand
grips.
[0024] More particularly, in the illustrated preferred embodiment,
the closed top face 110 of the exercise device 100 is a solid,
unpierced face having an outwardly facing front surface 110a, and
an inwardly facing back surface 110b. The top face 110 is closed,
in the present embodiment, to provide a face that can be stepped
on, for example, during step-ups, heel taps, balance and/or other
exercises. Additionally, the closed top face 110 provides for some
air resistance when the exercise device 100 is used for certain
exercises, such as kettlebell swings. Although the edges of the top
face 110 can be gripped by the hand of a user, in order to improve
grip strength, those edges are not "hand grips", as that term is
used in the present application, as the hand of the user cannot
wrap "around" them.
[0025] The open framework body 100a of the exercise device 100 is
formed as a framework of bars or hand grips at each intersection
between two contiguous faces of the body 100a. Additional hand
grips may be provided, as desired, as will be described in
connection with the side and bottom faces 120, 130. However, it
should be noted that, in the present preferred embodiment, the
faces 120, 130, 140 of the open framework body 100a are open
between hand grips, for easy gripping and use, as well as for ease
of manufacture.
[0026] More particularly, in the present embodiment illustrated,
the top edge 150 of each of the side faces 130 and end faces 140 is
that face's respective intersection with the top face 110, and is,
in fact, an edge of that top face 110. In particular, each edge 150
can be an end face of the closed top face 110 (i.e., where the
thickness of the edge 150 is the thickness of the top face 110
between the surfaces 110a and 110b). Alternately, the top face 110
can include a lip that extends down from the top face 110, as
desired. Thus, in the present illustrated embodiment, the top edges
(i.e., at the top face 110) do not form hand grips. In an alternate
embodiment (not shown), the top face can be pierced to form hand
grips at the edges of the top face 110, if desired, but with the
remaining portion of the top face 110 being closed.
[0027] As discussed above, the remaining portions of faces 120,
130, 140 are formed by bars or hand grips at each intersection
between two contiguous faces. For example, each end face 140 is
defined by the top edge 150 of the top face 110, by two vertical
hand grips 152 at the facial intersections between each end face
140 and the two contiguous side faces 130 adjacent to the
respective end face 140, and by a horizontal hand grip 154 at the
facial intersection between the respective end face 140 and the
contiguous bottom face 120.
[0028] Similarly, each side face 130 is formed by the top edge 150
(shared with the enclosed top face 110), by two vertical hand grips
152 (at the intersection with each contiguous end face 140), and by
a horizontal hand grip 156 that is formed at the facial
intersection between the respective side face 130 and the
contiguous edge of the bottom face 120. Correspondingly, the bottom
face 120 is defined by the horizontal hand grips 154 formed at the
facial intersections of the bottom face 120 with each end face 140,
and the horizontal hand grips 156 formed at the facial
intersections of the bottom face 120 with each side face 130.
[0029] It is intended that the faces 120,130, 140 of the open
framework 100a of the present embodiment be open between hand grips
(i.e., do not contain a closed face between hand grips). In other
words, the faces are completely open between hand grips. Note that,
if desired, additional hand grips may be provided as part of the
faces 120, 130, 140. For example, in the present preferred
embodiment, each of the sides 130 includes a further bar or hand
grip 158, connected between the bottom edge or hand grip 156 and
the top edge 150, and bisecting that face 130. In keeping with the
goal of having open faces between hand grips, the space between the
hand grip 158 of each side face 130 and each vertical hand grip 152
of that side, are completely open (i.e., do not contain a closed
face between the hand grips 152 and 158). As such, for purposes of
this application, "open between hand grips" or "completely open
between hand grips" includes the case where there is a central hand
grip that is not at an intersection between two faces, and the face
is still "completely open between handgrips", i.e., between
handgrips 152 and 158 on either side of the central hand grip 158;
or 154 and 160 on either side of the central hand grip 160. In
other words, each face is intended to have at least one open window
area 162 between two hand grips to facilitate easy use of the
exercise device 100, as well as its manufacture.
[0030] Additionally, in contrast to the construction of a cinder
block, the interior of the body 100a is open, as well. For example,
there is no closed face connecting the hand grips 158 of each side
120, through the body of the device 100.
[0031] Similarly, in the present preferred embodiment, the bottom
face 120 also includes a further bar or hand grip 160, connected
between the lengthwise edges 156, which bisects that face 120. As
with the side faces 130, the bottom face 120 is open between each
hand grip 154 and central hand grip 160, and through the interior
of the body 100a (i.e., from the hand grip 160 to the inner surface
110b of top face 110).
[0032] Thus, in the open framework of the body 100a, each face 120,
130, 140 is defined by edge 150 and/or the hand grips 152 and 154
arranged as a frame or open windowpane around a completely open,
central space 162. In the illustrated embodiment, including the
central hand grips 158 and 160, those faces 120, 130 are still open
between hand grips 152 and 158, or 160 and 154, with each face 120,
130 forming an open, double-frame or windowpane including two open
or empty spaces 162. Such a configuration makes it easy to grasp
the exercise device 100 from a middle portion of the device 100,
better distributing the weight of the device 100 for certain
exercises.
[0033] In one particular embodiment of the invention, the exercise
device 100 has roughly the same dimensions as a typical cinder
block. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the
length L of the exercise device 100 is approximately 400 mm. In
that same embodiment, the width W of the exercise device 100 and
the height H of the exercise device 100 are each approximately 200
mm, thus providing a 2:1 ratio of length L to width W or height H.
Note that the invention is not meant to be limited only to a device
having these dimensions, but rather, other size devices, or devices
having other relative proportions can be made without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, in one
particular embodiment of the invention, the width W1 of the central
hand grip 158 and/or the central hand grip 160 is 35 mm. Further,
in one particular embodiment, each of the hand grips 152, 154, 156,
158 and 160 have a width of approximately 35 mm.
[0034] The exercise device 100 can be sold individually, or as part
of an exercise system. For example, in one particular embodiment of
the invention, a system is provided that includes two or more
exercise devices 100, having different weights and/or
dimensions.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3-9, in one particularly preferred
embodiment of the invention, a system 200 of exercise devices 210,
220, 230, 240, 250 are provided in which the system 200 includes
two or more exercise devices 100 having different weights, but
otherwise identical physical dimensions. Exercise devices 100
having different weights, but the same dimensions can be made using
different materials, for example. Each exercise device of the
system 200, can have the same form as that described in connection
with exercise device 100, if desired. In one particular embodiment
of the invention, exercise devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 have
weights of 8 Kg (18 Lb), 12 Kg (26 Lb), 16 Kg (35 Lb), 20 Kg (44
Lb), and 24 Kg (53 Lb), respectively. Each exercise device 100,
210, 220, 230, 240, 250 can be marked with an indicia 260
indicating the weight of the device, as well as other indicia, such
as a name, trademark, logo and/or a graphic. The weight and/or
other indicia 260 can be marked on the front surface 110a, and the
same, or a different indicia can also be marked on the back surface
110b, if desired. Although described as part of a system 200, it
should be understood that the exercise devices 100, 210, 220, 230,
240, 250 can be obtained individually, and not as part of a set,
without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
[0036] The exercise devices 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, can be
made out a variety of materials to achieve the desired weights and
strengths. As discussed above, different ones of the exercise
devices 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 can be made from different
materials than other ones of the exercise devices 100, 210, 220,
230, 240, 250, in order to achieve different weights, while
maintaining the same dimensions as one another.
[0037] For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention,
an 8 Kg (18 Lb) weight 210 is made using a cast metal base insert,
such as a cast iron base insert, that is overmolded with rubber to
meet the desired weight and dimensions. The overmolded rubber
and/or any exposed portions of the insert can be painted to have a
particularly desired finish color, pattern and/or marking indicia.
A transparent UV coating can be applied over the paint, for
protection. As discussed above, an indicia 260 can be provided in
the top surface 110a and/or the bottom surface 110b of the exercise
device. This indicia 260 can be provided by paint, ink, stamping,
cutting, debossing and/or molding on or into an outer coating of
the exercise device 210, as desired. Other indicia can be provided
on the exercise device 210, as desired. Note that other types of
materials and/or metals can be used for the base insert, without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For
example, instead of cast iron, other materials including, but not
limited to, steel, aluminum, ceramic, concrete, plastic, etc., can
be used, as desired.
[0038] Heavier exercise devices can be provided using a thicker,
heavier insert and less overmolding, as desired. For example, the
exercise device 220, weighing 12 Kg (26 Lb) can be made in the same
way as described in connection with exercise device 210, but using
a thicker, heavier metal insert (i.e., made with more metal), while
using less rubber overmolding, to achieve a greater weight, while
maintaining the same dimensions as the lighter weighted exercise
device 210. Thus, in one particular embodiment of the invention,
each of the exercise devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 starts with a
differently weighted insert (having different amounts of the cast
metal or other material, in the present embodiment), and is then
appropriately overmolded to result in the exercise device having
the same physical dimensions as the others in the system. If
desired, differently weighted devices 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250
can be painted different colors, or be overmolded with different
rubber colors, in order to further visually distinguish the devices
100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 from one another.
[0039] The exercise devices 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 of the
present invention can be used in connection with a variety of
exercises. Their shape and size make them adaptable to a variety of
different types of exercises. For example, some of the exercises
that lend themselves well the exercise device of the present
invention include, but are by no means limited to:
[0040] Squats: Front, back, overhead and/or thruster squats can be
performed while holding the exercise device 100 by an opposing pair
of hand grips 152 or 154. More particularly, the exercise device
100 can be held in front of, behind and/or above the head of a user
or dynamically lifted (i.e., thrust) above the head of a user while
the user lowers his hips from a standing position, down to a
squatting position, and back to a standing position. Other types of
squats, such as the weighted pistol (wherein one leg of the user is
raised and pointed outward during the squat) can also be performed
using the exercise device 100, held by the hand grips 152 or 154.
The exercise device 100 can additionally be used to perform single
arm squats and single arm squat snatches using one of the center
hand grips 158 or 160 to hold the exercise device 100 on the
shoulder, while the squat is performed.
[0041] Deadlifts and other lifts: The user can place the exercise
device 100 on the floor, with the top face 110 down, and perform
two handed deadlifts while grabbing the hand grips 154 to lift the
exercise device 100 off the ground, while the user moves from a
squatting position to a standing position and back. Other types of
two handed lifts can be similarly performed by grasping an opposing
pair of hand grips 154 (see, for example, FIG. 10B), or even an
opposing pair of the top edges 150, if desired, including, but not
limited to a clean lift and/or a clean and jerk, a shoulder press,
a push press, a push jerk, etc. Additionally, if desired, certain
lifts and deadlifts can be performed by gripping the exercise
device with both hands on the same hand grip 156, but on either
side of center bar 158 or 160, so that each of the user's hands
passes through one of the two windows in the side faces 130 or
bottom face 120. Further, one handed deadlifts can be performed by
placing the exercise device 100 on the floor, and by grasping the
hand grip 158 or 160 while performing the lift. Other types of
single handed lifts can be performed while holding the exercise
device 100 by the hand grip 158 or 160, including, but not limited
to, single arm presses and push presses, single press push jerks,
single arm power snatches, etc., (see FIG. 10C).
[0042] Kettlebell exercises: A user can grasp the exercise device
100 by one hand grip 152, or by a pair of the hand grips 152
located on the same end face 140 (see, FIG. 10A) of the device 100,
and swing the device 100 to perform different types of kettlebell
swings. Additionally, one or more hand grips 152, 154 can be
grasped while the exercise device is carried, as is done with
kettlebell carries, kettlebell snatches and other kettlebell
related exercises.
[0043] Sit-up anchor or weight: The exercise device 100 can be
placed on the floor, and the user can place a portion of their feet
into the open spaces 162 through the window panes of one of the
side faces 130 or the bottom face 120, to anchor themselves during
sit-ups. Additionally, weighted sit-ups can be performed while
holding the exercise device 100 by an opposing pair of hand grips
152 or 154.
[0044] Push-up exercises: The exercise device 100 can be placed on
the floor to assist the user with performing different types of
push-ups. For example, the user may place the exercise device 100
on the ground, with the top face 110 pointing up, to assist with
plyo push-ups, foot elevated push-ups, pike push-ups and hand
elevated push-ups, among others.
[0045] Ground block exercises: The exercise device 100 can be
placed on the ground for use in performing certain exercises that
do not involve holding the exercise device 100. For example, the
exercise device 100 can be placed on the ground, with the top face
110 facing up, and the user can alternate tapping their feet on the
top surface 110a of the exercise device 100, to perform toe taps
and/or fast feet exercises. Similarly, the user can use the
weighted exercise devices 100 to perform step-ups to repetitively
step up onto, and down from, the exercise device 100 and box jumps,
to repetitively jump up onto (see FIG. 10D), and down from, the
exercise device 100. Additionally, the exercise device 100 can be
used when performing exercises that do not involve touching the
exercise device 100, such as lateral jumps and burpee block jumps,
where the user jumps from one side of the exercise device 100 to
the other, without touching it, and heel taps, where the seated
user pivots their core to tap their heels on first one side of the
block, then the other side.
[0046] Miscellaneous exercises: A further number of exercises can
be performed while holding the exercise device 100. For example,
the exercise device 100 can be held behind the head of the user by
an opposing pair of hand grips 152 (i.e., on opposite sides of the
body 100a) while bending forward from the waist, and back to a
standing position to perform the "good morning" exercise. The
exercise device 100 can additionally be held by an opposing pair of
hand grips 152 or 154 while performing ab related exercises,
weighted lunges, hip thrusts, and carries (see FIG. 10B), among
others. Further still, the exercise device 100 can be grasped by a
central hand grip 158 or 160 (see FIG. 10C), and carried, to
perform farmer carries and/or shoulder carries. Also, the user can
hold the device lengthwise against their chest, holding on to one
of the bottom hand grips 154, 156, to emulate a bucket carry (see
FIG. 10E). Further, two exercise devices 100 can be used together
when performing exercises such as farmer carries.
[0047] Resistance exercises: If desired, the exercise device 100
can be used to form an anchor for using resistance bands, wherein
the bands are secured about one of the hand grips 152, 154, 156,
158, 160 and exercises are performed using the resistance bands. If
desired, a foot of the user may be placed against an edge 150 or
hand grip 156 of the exercise device 100, while performing
exercises with resistance bands.
[0048] It should be understood that other exercises can be
performed with, and other uses made for, the exercise device 100,
without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
[0049] Additionally, it should be understood that the shape and
form of the exercise device 100 can be modified and still be within
the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, FIG. 11
is a perspective view taken from the bottom of an exercise device
300 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The
exercise device 300 is that special case of a rectangular prism in
which all of the faces are squares, and thus, the device 300 is
formed as a cube, having a closed top face 310 and an open
framework body, similar to the open framework body 100a described
in connection with FIGS. 3-8. In other words, the two side faces
(130 of FIGS. 3-8) are formed as square end faces 140, in addition
to the two previously square end faces 140, so that the body
includes four end faces 140, each of which is as described in
connection with end faces 140 of FIGS. 3-8. Thus, the four end
faces 140 extend between an open bottom face 320 and a closed top
face 310. The intersections of each end face with the bottom face
320 form a hand grip 154, as additionally described in connection
with FIGS. 3-8. Likewise, the intersections of each of the end
faces 140 with one another forms a further hand grip 152 in the
height direction, between the top face 310 and the bottom face 320.
Each end face 140 includes an open central portion 162, defined
between a frame created by each end face 140's respective edge 150,
shared with the top face 310, hand grip 154, at the interface
between the end face 140 and the bottom face 320, and two hand
grips 152 at the interfaces between the end face 140 and it's
respective left and right neighboring (i.e., contiguous) end faces
140. As the present embodiment does not include longer side faces
or a correspondingly long bottom face, the central hand grips of
the previous embodiment have been omitted. The exercise device 300
can be used and manufactured in the same manner as described in
connection with the FIGS. 3-10, including, if desired, provided as
a system of differently weighted exercise devices, as described in
connection with FIG. 9.
[0050] Accordingly, while a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that
the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically
illustrated or described, and that within the embodiments certain
changes in the detail and construction, as well as the arrangement
of the parts, may be made without departing from the principles of
the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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